The older I get and the drier my skin becomes, the more I appreciate French skincare.
In the past, I complained about their lack of antioxidants or their insistence on using just one active per product. Now I get it.
Sometimes, basic is just what skin needs. No frills. No fragrance. Just moisturising products that get the job done without causing another flareup.
When my skin needs that kind of gentle loving care, I turn to La Roche Posay. They’ve saved my skin (and lips) more than once.
But, not all products are created equal. Some are more effective than others. Here are the best La Roche Posay skincare products, in my humble opinion:
- La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment ($36.95)
- La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser ($23.99)
- La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid ($33.50)
- La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturiser SPF 30 ($19.99)
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm (£6.00)
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment ($36.95)
In case you’re wondering, the dual action refers to Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment‘s two jobs: anti-acne and hydration. The anti-acne job is in the hands of benzoyl peroxide, a harsh active that kills the bacteria that treats P. Acnes. There’s enough here to destroy those nasty buggers and clear up your skin. Hydration’s a job for glycerin, a humectant that attracts moisture from the air into the skin. It keeps skin soft and supple and prevents benzoyl peroxide from drying out your skin too much. The icing on the cake? It’s fragrance-free.
Available at: Dermstore and Feel Unique
Related: Benzoyl Peroxide: Friend Or Foe?
La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser ($23.99)
Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser is a no-frills, fragrance-free, basic cleansing lotion for dry skin. It removes dirt and makeup from the skin well without irritating it. Seriously, unless you know you’re allergic to one of the ingredients (and even that is rare), there’s no chance of this irritating or bothering your skin. If you have sensitive skin, give it a go.
Available at: Dermstore and Feel Unique
Related: How To Choose The Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Don’t know which skincare products and ingredients you shouldn’t use together? Download your FREE “How To Combine Actives Like A Pro” to maximise the effectiveness of your skincare routine:
La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid ($33.50)
If you avoid mineral sunscreens because they always leave a white, greasy mess on your face, give Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid a try. As mineral sunscreens go, the texture is pretty light indeed and dries to a lovely matte finish. The minerals here are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, two UV filters that protect against the entire UV range and are fairly stable under sunlight, so you don’t have to reapply them as often. Plus, like everything else in this formula, they’re super gentle and don’t irritate even sensitive skin. The only con is the lack of antioxidants but I guess you can always supplement with a separate antioxidant serum.
Available at: Dermstore
Related: 3 Reasons Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Best For Sensitive Skin
La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturiser SPF 30 ($19.99)
If you have dry skin, it means your skin’s protective barrier is damaged. You can use all the hydrating serums in the world but until you patch that up, moisture will escape and your skin won’t heal. Double Repair Moisturiser SPF 30 has what it takes to fix this barrier: ceramides and niacinamide fill in the gaps, repairing your skin in a few days. Plus, niacinamide is a multitasker that also hydrates, soothes and reduces wrinkles and acne. And did I mention it has SPF? The UV filters here are chemical so if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test first. But they do a good job at protecting your skin from the sun. Just don’t skip your sunscreen!
Available at: Dermstore
Related: Niacinamide, An Underrated Anti-Aging Superstar
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm (£6.00)
Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm saved my lips last winter. I had gone in for a glycolic acid peel and my aesthetician put some on my lips. For the next few weeks, they were chapped, cracked and flaky. Nothing I used helped. Then, I tried this. It healed them in no time. I thank shea butter for that. It’s one of the most moisturising things on this planet and can nurse dry skin back to health in a few days. You can check out my full review of this lip balm here.
Available at: Feel Unique and Look Fantastic
Related: Why Shea Butter Is A Godsend For Dry Skin
Please do a post on refined vs unrefined oils! I just found out my rosehip oil is refined, and I’m thinking about switching to another brand at a higher price
Clarissa, will do!
So many people love Effaclar Duo and I really didn’t find it to do anything for my skin. The Effaclar K+ is amazing for blackheads, though!
xx,
http://www.thedecemberdame.com
Diana, oh no! But I’m glad you’ve found something else that works so well for you. Just goes to show that different people react differently to the same product.
Hi Gio, thanks for another great round up! I can’t seem to find Double Repair here in Australia… it isn’t on the Australian LRP website, and none of the pharmacies I have been into have heard of that product. Any suggestions on how to track it down? Maybe they sell it under a different name here??
Cheers
Bethanie
Bethanie, unfortunately not all products from a brand are available everywhere. Sometimes, regulations get in the way and prevent products from being imported. Other times, the brand just doesn’t think a product will do well in a certain market. They probably sell something similar but it’s unlikely to be the same under a different name. I guess the best way to track it down is to buy it online, but I understand that can be expensive when you factor is customs and shopping costs.
I have the Tolerine Ultra moisturizer. Do still use the Cicaplast on top of it? I have bad rosacea, and very tight, dehydrated skin. Also, would rose hip oil be beneficial? Thank you! Kathy
Kathy, if you find that your moisturiser isn’t enough, you can try adding rosehip oil on top and see if it helps. But if you’re so dehydrated, you’ll benefit from a hyaluronic acid serum more. I’d try that first.
Thank you so much Gio! So I will use the HA serum (I have your Vichy one) and put the La Roche Posay on top then the rosehip! Right? Thank you kindly. Kathy.
Kathy, yes. that’s right. You’re welcome. 🙂